Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered.
Your project should incorporate:
2D and 3D design
Additive and subtractive fabrication processes
Electronics design and production
Embedded microcontroller interfacing and programming
System integration and packaging
1. What does it do?
The Honor Tree is a wall-mounted interactive device that visually records and displays the class’s cooperation and growth in real-time using puzzle pieces and lights.
When students complete challenges, they insert their personalized puzzle pieces into the tree, which automatically detects and lights up the corresponding LEDs as achievement feedback.
This device not only rewards individual performance but strengthens team spirit by gathering every child’s effort into a collective glow.
Educational Goals
Increase student engagement
Build a classroom atmosphere with a strong sense of belonging and recognition
2. Who’s done what beforehand?
While there are some basic “puzzle light” toys and growth boards for children on the market, few are specially designed for group or class growth evaluation combining magnetic sensing and programmable LED feedback. Existing evaluations mostly rely on digital data collection and analysis, lacking tangible interactive experience.
The Honor Tree enhances the ritual and sense of achievement through physical puzzle insertion triggering lights; team task completion lights up the whole tree to reinforce teamwork and collective honor; the physical interaction offers a more immersive, intuitive experience than traditional digital assessments.
3. What did you design?
3.1 2D – A tree design printed and mounted on the wall
3.2 3D – Printed personalized puzzle pieces shaped like apples
3.3 Electronics design and production – using ESP32
3.4 Input/output devices – V1 basic light-up
I designed the Honor Tree — a laser-cut tree background with 8 puzzle slots, each equipped with independent magnetic sensing and LED feedback. The system supports customizable puzzle shapes and multiple-person or group collaboration and motivation.
4. What sources did you use?
Mainly Arduino/ESP32 community tutorials on puzzle sensing devices, FastLED library documentation, product manuals from DFRobot and Taobao, as well as educational evaluation literature and growth mindset theories.
Jumper wires, breadboard or perfboard, and other common connectors
6. Where did they come from?
Most core components (LEDs, sensors, resistors, etc.) were purchased from domestic e-commerce sites such as Taobao and DFRobot. Laser cutting and 3D printing were done at local maker spaces or school fab labs.
7. How much did they cost?
Estimated cost (2025 prices):
WS2812B LEDs (¥1.5 each ×8) ≈ ¥12
Hall sensors (¥2 each ×8) ≈ ¥16
ESP32-C3 Xiao ≈ ¥32
Resistors, capacitors, jumper wires ≈ ¥10
Magnets, breadboard, 5V adapter ≈ ¥20
Laser cutting wood ≈ ¥30
3D printing puzzle pieces ≈ ¥40 (local rate)
Total ≈ ¥160–180, prices vary by region.
8. What parts and systems were made?
Self-made parts include the laser-cut tree background board, 3D-printed magnetic puzzle pieces, all circuit soldering and wiring, software logic (puzzle sensing and LED dynamic feedback), and overall assembly and debugging.
9. What processes were used?
Laser cutting (wood board)
3D modeling and printing (puzzle pieces)
Component soldering and breadboard prototyping
ESP32 programming via Arduino IDE with FastLED library
Assembly and repeated functional testing
10. What questions were answered?
Is the magnetic sensing of puzzle pieces stable?
How to optimize LED feedback delay and failure issues?
Durability of puzzle insertion/removal and likelihood of accidental triggers by students?
How to maintain aesthetics and sturdiness without increasing cost?
11. What worked? What didn’t?
Worked well: Puzzle insertion triggers near-instant LED feedback; ESP32 handles 8 inputs and LEDs smoothly.
Challenges:
Sensor mounting depth and magnet distance need repeated adjustment to avoid missed or false triggers.
WS2812B LED power supply voltage drop requires extra power injection points.
3D printing tolerances cause some puzzle pieces to stick in slots.
12. How was it evaluated?
Simulated classroom group operations tested insertion/removal response and durability.
Multiple student trials observed LED feedback and puzzle interaction smoothness.
Teacher interviews collected feedback on classroom atmosphere and student engagement improvements.
13. What are the implications?
The device is low-cost, reproducible, and modular, suitable for real-time classroom motivational evaluations. It can be extended to class growth scoreboards, project progress trees, or parent-child interactive teaching tools. It promotes “assessment as learning” and enhances students’ ownership and sense of achievement.
🌳 Honor Tree V2 Upgrade Plan
🔊 Add a Sound Module (DFPlayer Mini)
Play congratulatory voice messages automatically when a group earns an honor, such as:
"Congratulations to Group 2 for completing the challenge!"
Each group can set a custom background track or team anthem to strengthen the sense of identity and ceremony.
Add fun sound effects to make interactions more engaging and lively.
